I Became the Imaginary Guitar Global Winner
Back when I was 10, I read about a article in my hometown newspaper about the World Air Guitar Competition, that happens every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. Mom and Dad had volunteered at the very first contest since 1996 – my mother distributed flyers, my father organized the music. From that point, national championships have been organized in many nations, with the champions assembling in Oulu annually.
Back then, I requested permission if I could compete. They weren't sure at first; the event was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They felt it might be an daunting atmosphere, but I was determined.
In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, pretending to play to the biggest rock tunes with my invisible instrument. My family were music fans – my dad loved Springsteen and the Irish rock band. the band AC/DC was the initial group I discovered on my own. Angus Young, the lead guitarist, was my inspiration.
As I took the stage, I performed my act to the band's the song Whole Lotta Rosie. The audience started shouting “Angus”, reminiscent of the live recording, and it hit me: so this is to be a music icon. I made it to the finals, performing to crowds in the public plaza, and I was addicted. I earned the moniker “Little Angus” that day.
Then I took a break. I was a judge one year, and kicked off the show on another occasion, but I stayed out of the contest. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but everyone still referred to me as “Little Angus” so I accepted it fully and adopt “The Angus” as my performance alias. I’ve qualified for the last round each competition since then, and in 2023 I was the runner-up, so I was set to win this year.
The air guitar community is like a close-knit group. Our motto is ‘Create music, not conflict’. It sounds silly, but it’s a true ethos.
The event is intense but joyful. Competitors have a short window to deliver maximum effort – dynamic presence, flawless imitation, rock star charisma – on an invisible guitar. Judges evaluate you on a grading system from four to six. When it's a draw, there’s an “tiebreaker” between the last two competitors: a track is selected and you create on the spot.
Preparation is everything. I chose an a metal group song for my performance. I had it on repeat for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body flexible enough to bound, my digits nimble enough to copy riffs and my spine prepared for those moves and leaps. Once the event dawned, I could internalize the track in my being.
Once all acts were done, the scores came in, and I had drawn with the winner from Japan, Yuta “Sudo-chan” Sudo – it was moment for an air-off. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the rock group. When I heard the song, I felt at ease because it was familiar to me, and above all I was so excited to perform one more time. When they announced I’d triumphed, the square went wild.
The moment is hazy. I think I lost consciousness from surprise. Then everyone started performing the song Rockin’ in the Free World and raised me up on to their backs. A former champion – AKA Nordic Thunder – a past winner and one of my best pals, was holding me. I shed tears. I was the inaugural from Finland air guitar international titleholder in a quarter-century. The earlier winner from Finland, the former champion, was in attendance as well. He offered me the biggest hug and said it was “long overdue”.
The air guitar community is like a family. The phrase we live by is “Create music, not conflict”. It sounds silly, but it’s a genuine belief. People come from many countries, and all involved is positive and uplifting. Before you go on stage, each contestant shows support. Then for one minute you’re allowed to be yourself, humorous, the biggest rock star in the world.
Additionally, I am a percussionist and musician in a band with my family member called the Southgates, inspired by Gareth Southgate, as we’re fans of UK rock and post-punk. I’ve been working in bars for a short time, and I create mini movies and song visuals. The title hasn’t changed my day-to-day life drastically but I’ve been doing a extensive media, and I aspire it leads to more innovative opportunities. The city will be a designated cultural center the coming year, so there are promising opportunities.
Currently, I’m just grateful: for the network, for the ability to compete, and for that budding enthusiast who picked up a newspaper and thought, “That's for me.”